It’s back again! Guests will once again be able to participate in a special Easter egg hunt which has guests searching a Disney theme park, trying to find eggs that are designed to look like Disney characters. This year, the fun hunt will be returning to Walt Disney World’s Epcot and Disneyland Resort’s Disney California […]

It’s back again! Guests will once again be able to participate in a special Easter egg hunt which has guests searching a Disney theme park, trying to find eggs that are designed to look like Disney characters. This year, the fun hunt will be returning to Walt Disney World’s Epcot and Disneyland Resort’s Disney California Adventure and Disneyland from March 27 through April 5!

Here’s how it will work: Guests will be able to purchase a map for $4.95, plus tax. With each map will be stickers provided that correspond to the actual eggs that can be found in each of the the parks. Guests are instructed go search the park with map in hand and put the character egg sticker on the map where the actual character egg was found! Once all the eggs have been located, guests must return their map to the redemption station for a fun prize!

Here’s a glimpse of what the maps will look like and where eggs will be located:

It’s certainly a fun game that is a great activity for all ages, for sure! If you would like to see what it was like to search for eggs at Disneyland, check out this post. It will give you a clue as to what to expect this year, too. Good luck and happy hunting!

Congrats to Big Hero 6 and Feast for their big Oscar wins! Super exciting for Walt Disney Animation! This week, we’ll take a look at the recently announced Chairman of Parks and Resorts, how Disneyland fans reacted to a ticket price increase in 1996, and the trailer for Frozen Fever, plus more! In Case You […]

This week, we’ll take a look at the recently announced Chairman of Parks and Resorts, how Disneyland fans reacted to a ticket price increase in 1996, and the trailer for Frozen Fever, plus more!

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

Congrats to Disney Cruise Line! They won multiple awards from Cruise Critic’s Cruiser’s Choice Awards for 2015, including the big one…Best Overall…an award they’ve won for 3 years in a row! Check out all the honors they received.

Disney has filled the role left vacant by Tom Staggs move to Chief Operating Officer. This week, Disney announced their new pick for Chairman of Parks and Resorts, Bob Chapek. It will certainly be interesting to see what this means for the parks…one thing I noticed off the bat is that he’s awful light on parks experience. What do you think about this move?

Disney tickets prices increased again this week…but let’s go back in time…back to 1996…when it cost a family of four $126 total to visit Disneyland. It’s interesting to see the same concerns we voice now are still being voiced, almost 20 years later. (I wish we were still paying $34 a ticket!)

Ever wonder where the magic happens at Walt Disney World? A lot of it actually occurs at Central Shops! Take a look at this section of the resort that not many people get to experience! These really are the “Can Do” people of Disney!

Did you catch the Frozen Fever trailer? What are your thoughts about the short which will air before Cinderella?

It’s an interesting idea…should Disney continue to re-release their films in theaters? OR do they have enough mojo going with new film releases now that they don’t need to re-release classic animated movies in theaters and DVD sales are just fine? What do you think?

Disney’s prices increase…so do Universal’s. See what you can expect to pay the next time you want to visit Harry Potter, The Simpsons, Spider-man, the minions, and more down in Orlando.

It’s official! It was also the worst kept rumor ever. King Kong is coming back to the Universal Orlando Resort! Are you excited to see the infamous ape once again?

With the announcement of Downtown Disney’s conversion to Disney Springs, many were hopeful and excited about the changes to the shopping and dining district. One place that I think most people thought would be on the chopping block was Planet Hollywood. The restaurant has consistently poor reviews and well, let’s face it, Planet Hollywood’s are […]

With the announcement of Downtown Disney’s conversion to Disney Springs, many were hopeful and excited about the changes to the shopping and dining district. One place that I think most people thought would be on the chopping block was Planet Hollywood. The restaurant has consistently poor reviews and well, let’s face it, Planet Hollywood’s are a thing of the 90s. However, with the announcement of Disney Springs also came the news that Planet Hollywood was staying. Granted not in the same form; it was to be converted into what will eventually be called the Planet Hollywood Observatory.

The details were released that the restaurant will see a complete redesign on the outside, with a gorgeous new brick exterior, a new water tower (built from the neon sign that is currently present), and an expanded outdoor terrace and bar. The look is much less gaudy than what is currently there.

Inside, the restaurant’s theme will continue, with a high-tech planetarium with stars and constellations on the ceiling. However, for those of you movie buffs, don’t fret! The restaurant will still feature Hollywood props and costumes and Hollywood movie features will still be shown. (Will be interesting to see how that will tie in with a planetarium redesign, but it is the schtick of the restaurant. Celestial stars…Hollywood stars…I guess I can kind of get it.)

The best news to come out of these new details? The menu is expected to be updated! Celebrity chefs are being asked to enhance the menu, but they expect the pricing to remain the same. According to Planet Hollywood International founder and chairman, Robert Earl, “I’m going to focus heavily on the food. We’re going to have some worthy opposition, some that has been announced and some that hasn’t.”

They aren’t kidding about worthy opposition; with options like Morimoto Asia, The BOATHOUSE, and STK Orlando, Downtown Disney/Disney Springs is certainly upping it’s foodie game, so these changes can’t come at a moment too soon. The redesign of Planet Hollywood is expected to be complete by sometime in 2016.

Welcome back to this brand new edition of Walt Disney World Newsworthy Notes! (Crowd cheers…ok…maybe not…but a girl can dream.) This week has been very fruitful with little tidbits to share with you all; I’ve got lots of refurbishment news, details on Be Our Guest Restaurant, new information on Avatarland, and more! Wow! There are […]

Welcome back to this brand new edition of Walt Disney World Newsworthy Notes! (Crowd cheers…ok…maybe not…but a girl can dream.) This week has been very fruitful with little tidbits to share with you all; I’ve got lots of refurbishment news, details on Be Our Guest Restaurant, new information on Avatarland, and more!

Wow! There are a lot of refurbishments that have been scheduled for Walt Disney World. Let’s start at the Magic Kingdom. First, for those traveling in the summer, you will unfortunately not get to experience Pirates of the Caribbean. The attraction, which has been riddled with problems lately, will be seeing a 4+ month refurbishment, from May 11 through September 25, reopening September 26. No word on what the refurbishment will entail, but it is certainly necessary. There will also be a two day refurbishment of Stitch’s Great Escape in early March, March 1 and 2. The attraction will reopen on March 3. For those visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom for barbeque, you’ll have to wait a little longer, because Flame Tree Barbeque’s refurbishment has been pushed back to last until April 22, reopening April 23. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it would appear that Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show will be closed for a refurbishment from April 20-24, reopening on April 25. Also, Voyage of the Little Mermaid will be closed September 7-10, reopening on September 11. You can always keep up with the latest refurbishments on our refurb page.

So I don’t usually share the videos that Disney posts, but I will if I find them particularly newsworthy…like today, where they posted one hyping up Avatar for Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s nice to finally see some more information about the project. The new concept art shown in the video is quite gorgeous, but what really impressed me was when they finally showed some of the bioluminescent aspects. It almost reminds me of being under the sea, seeing a unique type of illuminated coral. These additions will certainly make Animal Kingdom a destination once the sun sets. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check out the video:

For those of you curious about the full details of obtaining a reservation for Be Our Guest Restaurant’s lunch option, I’ve got them! Reservations may be made up to 180 days in advance by visiting www.mydisneyexperience.com or by calling (407) WDW-DINE and a credit card guarantee is required at that time. Guests who cannot make their reservation and do not cancel the day before will be charged a $10 no-show fee per guest on their provided credit card. Guests making reservations should know that this is still considered a counter service location, so they will be required to find a table on their own; no tables are reserved for guests. For those who wish to pre-order their meal, they may do so anywhere from 30 days prior to 5 minutes in advance OR guests may place their order when they arrive at the restaurant. For those pre-ordering their meal, do keep in mind that payment will be required at the time of the arrival to the restaurant. Finally, walk-ups will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, but given the popularity of the restaurant, I would expect that actually obtaining a walk-up will be very hard to actually achieve.

We haven’t yet started the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, but for the planners out there, we already know the dates for 2016’s event. Next year’s Flower and Garden Festival will be held from March 2 through May 15. For those who are visiting the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year, make sure to check out the special park map.

For those of you looking for the fantastic Disney Parks Collection of the PANDORA jewelry line, you now have a dedicated spot to visit. Guests can now visit a dedicated space in Uptown Jewelers on Main Street U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom.

When the Marketplace Co-op was first introduced at Downtown Disney, it was mentioned about how it would be used as a testing ground for new concepts and that stores would be able to be changed out. Well, it looks like the first boutique area is closing, another option is expanding, and another option is moving in. The WonderGround Gallery, which sells unique artwork, will be moving into the spot being vacated by the Beautifully Disney makeup location. In addition, The Sign Shop, which will offer Disney Parks-inspired signs for sale, will take the place of the WonderGround Gallery’s former space.

Speaking of Downtown Disney, the Village Causeway recently opened and with the opening of this walkway was also the opening of a few new kiosks. They include:

Kate and Leo: Designed to evoke a world of curiosity, creativity and imagination, this charming cart features children’s toys, travel games, magnetic story boards, beautiful art supplies and more,

Icon Jewellery by Bico: Offers jewelry for men and women, featuring iconic and inspirational designs focusing on concepts like love, protection, strength, and luck. Each piece can be customized and is crafted from hand-polished, fine grade pewter and enhanced with materials like Swarovski crystals, New Guinea rosewood and genuine leather.

Typhoon Lagoon is testing a direct bus route from select resorts until March 28. During the test, buses will operate approximately every 20 minutes, with service beginning 30 minutes prior to park opening and ending 1 hour after park close. The resorts that are included in the test are:

Throughout the year, both Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Epcot help to celebrate animals and conservation through special wildlife-inspired events. At these one day events, Disney offers guests the opportunity to learn more about the message being conveyed for the day, participate in special activities, and more. This year’s event dates are:

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are two of the most fun events that the Magic Kingdom holds each year! They both have fun parades, special fireworks, great “free” treats, lots of meet and greets, and much more! For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the event will be held on select nights […]

For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the event will be held on select nights from September until November; the first party starts later than it did last year; the kick-off date is September 15 and parties will take place up until November 1. Overall, there will be 25 parties total to celebrate the spooky season. Dates for the 2015 season are:

Those wanting to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be able to do so on select evenings in November and December, with 20 parties that are designed to help get Guests in the Holiday spirit! There will be a quick turn around from celebrating Halloween; the holiday parties start on November 8 and the last party will be held on December 18. Dates are:

November: 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29

December: 1. 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18

Do keep in mind that these parties are special, hard-ticket events, so Guests wishing to attend one of these events will need to purchase separate ticket media. Tickets for both parties will go on sale in April, however pricing for this year has not yet been released.

Beginning tomorrow (Sunday, February 22, 2015), if you’ll be traveling to Walt Disney World, entering a theme park is going to be more expensive. For the first time ever, Disney has increased the price of a Magic Kingdom single day park ticket past the $100 mark: a one-day ticket to just the Magic Kingdom will now […]

Beginning tomorrow (Sunday, February 22, 2015), if you’ll be traveling to Walt Disney World, entering a theme park is going to be more expensive.

For the first time ever, Disney has increased the price of a Magic Kingdom single day park ticket past the $100 mark: a one-day ticket to just the Magic Kingdom will now cost $105 for those ages 10 and up, an increase of $6. Ticket prices also increased for Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with a one-day ticket costing $97 for those ages 10 and up, a $3 increase.

Other Magic Your Way base tickets have jumped about $11 per ticket (with a few exceptions).

It’s not just Magic Your Way base tickets that have increased in price. All options have increased, with minor increases to Park Hoppers, as well as the Water Park Fun & More options – both of which increased about $4. (Again, there are a few exceptions.) Also, the Park Hopper plus Water Park Fun & More combined ticket option increased by $4.

I do have some bad news for those of you who like to purchase the No Expiration option. Disney will no longer offer the No Expiration option, and now all tickets will expire 14 days after first use.

Water Park Fun & More: Allows guests a specific number of visits (between 2 and 10, depending on the number of days of your ticket) to the Disney Water Parks, DisneyQuest Interactive Theme Park, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf, and Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf.

If you are looking for a Magic Your Way Multi-Day Ticket purchase, the new pricing is as follows:

Magic Your Way Ticket Options

Days On Ticket

Base Ticket

Optional Add-Ons

Ages 10-up

Ages 3-9

Park Hopper®

Water Park Fun & More

Park Hopper® & Water Park Fun & More

10 days

$365($36.50/day)

$345($34.50/day)

$64

$64 (10 visits)

$90 (10 visits)

9 days

$355($39.44/day)

$335($37.22/day)

$64

$64 (9 visits)

$90 (9 visits)

8 days

$345($43.13/day)

$325($40.63/day)

$64

$64 (8 visits)

$90 (8 visits)

7 days

$335($47.86/day)

$315($45.00/day)

$64

$64 (7 visits)

$90 (7 visits)

6 days

$325($54.17/day)

$305($50.83/day)

$64

$64 (6 visits)

$90 (6 visits)

5 days

$315($63.00/day)

$295($59.00/day)

$64

$64 (5 visits)

$90 (5 visits)

4 days

$305($76.25/day)

$285($71.25/day)

$64

$64 (4 visits)

$90 (4 visits)

3 days

$275($91.63/day)

$256($85.33/day)

$50

$64 (3 visits)

$90 (3 visits)

2 days

$192($96.00/day)

$179($89.50/day)

$50

$64 (2 visits)

$90 (2 visits)

In addition, we see an increase in Annual Pass prices (which are the same for everyone, ages 3 and up):

The Annual Pass price increased by $20, to $654. This pass gets you into all four theme parks (hopping is permitted) for 365 consecutive days.

A Premium Annual Pass now costs $779, also an increase of $25. This pass gets you into all four theme parks (with hopping), Disney’s two water parks, Disney’s Oak Trail golf course, DisneyQuest, and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

There is also a change to admission for Disney’s water parks. Guests who purchase a one day water park ticket now have the ability to spend time at both Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon on the same day, when both water parks are open. The cost of a one-day ticket to the water parks is $58 for those ages 10 and up and $50 for those ages 3-9.

Disney’s last Walt Disney World ticket increase happened one year ago, last February.

If you’re looking for tickets, remember that our Price Comparison Tool can help you find the least expensive tickets for your particular needs. Prices are updated each night. Sometimes when Disney increases ticket prices, third-party resellers continue to sell their “old stock” of tickets at the old prices while supplies last, so you may be able to snag some lower priced tickets if you act soon!

Who’s going to see McFarland, USA this weekend? It looks like an interesting film and a great addition to the Disney sports film legacy. In this week’s post, we’ll try to avoid sharks, interview Baymax, and celebrate with Cinderella, plus more! In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors […]

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

ABC News recently took a look at some of the unique burgers you can get at ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk. I have to tell you, having had a peanut butter burger before, it’s actually quite good…though not sure about the addition of jelly, but it seems like this is more of a savory jelly than anything else, so I’d be game.

What a great Valentine’s Day experience! This couple visited not one, not two, but three different Disney Parks Resorts in 24 hours! Would you ever attempt something like that, if you could?

This week was President’s Day, so in honor of the past leaders of our country, MoviePilot released a very in-depth article about “10 Presidential Disney Connections.”

The Motley Fool takes a look at the recent Walt Disney Company earnings call and shares the things that management want us to know. It’s a very interesting look at what the future may hold.

Hmmm…that’s all I can say after reading “Disney CEO Fumbles Entry to China.” Could Shanghai Disneyland be a poor decision? This article will certainly make you think.

This week, Cinderella celebrated its 65th anniversary! See 25 facts you may not know about the film.

Oh my goodness! I want to interview Baymax! That’s all I can think about after seeing this awesome video from USA Today.

Speaking of Big Hero 6, here are 12 things you may not have known about the film, which is currently available for digital download and will be available to purchase on Blu-ray beginning Tuesday, February 24.

Are you looking forward to the next installment of Pirates of the Caribbean? Get the scoop on what this upcoming film, which started production this week, will be about.

One of my favorite actresses has always been Ginnifer Goodwin, who currently stars as Snow White on “Once Upon a Time” and is also a part of the Tinkerbell series. The thing I didn’t know…that she’s actually a huge Disney fan. I only love her even more. (PS: who also can’t wait for the show to come back on the air?)

Get ready for another new water park in the Orlando area…this time from Universal! Plans have officially been submitted, as of this week for a water park with a volcano and slides. I’m keeping my eye on this one, for sure.

Are you a fan of the Sharknado series? Well, looks like filming has begun at the Universal Orlando Resort for the upcoming cheese-fest. (I honestly can’t believe I watched the last one…and will probably do the same with this. It really is so bad…well…it’s not good…it’s hilariously bad.)

This is your official warning! It’s apparently time for that annual event – the Walt Disney World ticket price increase. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic Kingdom will see a price increase that will raise the cost of a one day ticket to $105, plus tax, for adults (ages 10 and up.) This will […]

This is your official warning! It’s apparently time for that annual event – the Walt Disney World ticket price increase. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the Magic Kingdom will see a price increase that will raise the cost of a one day ticket to $105, plus tax, for adults (ages 10 and up.) This will finally take the Walt Disney World Resort over the $100 mark, making it the first theme park to do so.

In addition, it would seem that tickets for Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will also be increasing; guests can expect to pay $99 for an adult one day ticket (ages 10 and up.).

Of course, with the one day ticket price increases, it is also extremely likely that all other Magic Your Way ticket prices will also increase. These change are expected to occur over the weekend. (Prices will very likely increase for Sunday morning.)

Rumors indicate that Disneyland may also see price increases, and of course, if Walt Disney World does increase their prices this weekend, then it will be highly likely that other Orlando theme parks (like Universal Orlando Resort) will also see increases.

I’ll make sure to have the full pricing details for you as soon as they are released.

If you’ll be traveling to Walt Disney World this year, consider purchasing your tickets now and remember that our Price Comparison Tool can help you find the least expensive tickets for your needs.

Star Wars Weekends are rapidly approaching; we are only 3 months away from Weekend I! This year the event takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from May 15 through June 14. Star Wars Weekends dates for 2015 are: Weekend I: May 15-17 Weekend II: May 22-24 Weekend III: May […]

Star Wars Weekends are rapidly approaching; we are only 3 months away from Weekend I! This year the event takes place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from May 15 through June 14.

Star Wars Weekends dates for 2015 are:

Weekend I: May 15-17

Weekend II: May 22-24

Weekend III: May 29-31

Weekend IV: June 5-7

Weekend V: June 12-14

The excitement is ramping up as new details are starting to trickle out about this year’s events, like that fact that once again performing hosting duties each weekend will be character actor, James Arnold Taylor, who voiced Obi-Wan Kenobi in “Star Wars: Clone Wars.”

In addition to his general hosting duties, he will also be hosting the “Stars of the Saga” talk show, where he will interview some of the many celebrities that appear during Star Wars Weekends. The “Stars of the Saga” show will be taking place in an all new venue this year, the Theater of the Stars, allowing for more Guests than ever to experience the show. (The Theater of the Stars is where Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage is held, however don’t despair Beauty and the Beast fans! The show will still also be performed in the Theater of the Stars during Star Wars Weekends.)

For those who like shopping, Darth’s Mall will also be moving; the new location will be found near the Streets of America. Darth’s Mall is where you’ll be able to pick up the latest and greatest in Star Wars merchandise.

As part of the evening’s events, there will be the “Summon the Force” celebration, which is where your favorite characters will assemble and your social media moments will be shared. The evening will end with the “Symphony in the Stars” fireworks extravaganza, saluting the saga’s most memorable stories.

Disney had previously announced that two fantastic character meals that were introduced last year will be returning. Guests can participate in the Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast at Sci Fi Dine-In Theater. Here guests can meet characters from the Star Wars universe, including Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Greedo, Jawas, and Stormtroopers. The cost for this breakfast is $49.99 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $31.99 per child (ages 3 to 9). (Again, tax is included, but gratuity is not).

There’s also the Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine, where guests can meet Disney characters dressed as those from the Star Wars universe, such as, Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Vader Goofy, Storm Trooper Donald, and Ewoks Chip ‘n’ Dale. The cost for this meal is $57.99 per adult (ages 10 and up) and $34.99 per child (ages 3 to 9). (Tax is included, but gratuity is not). The Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine is only available for dinner.

These two character meals are available daily from May 4 through June 14.

There are still more details left to be finalized and announced, like other additional entertainment offerings and which celebrities will be appearing. One thing is for sure though, with Star Wars VII opening in theaters this year, this year’s Star Wars Weekends are hopefully going to be very exciting!

Many people dream of walking the red carpet, hearing people shouting at them “Who are you wearing?” and seeing that beautiful golden statue in front of their eyes. Well, while I can’t guarantee you’ll ever get to experience taking part in the Oscars, I can guarantee you’ll get to experience a really neat and unique […]

Many people dream of walking the red carpet, hearing people shouting at them “Who are you wearing?” and seeing that beautiful golden statue in front of their eyes. Well, while I can’t guarantee you’ll ever get to experience taking part in the Oscars, I can guarantee you’ll get to experience a really neat and unique opportunity. You see, for a limited time, until February 22, Guests who visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and take a photo with a gorgeous Oscar statuette.

The opportunity is being billed as the “My First Oscar Moment” and will be taking place during park hours inside The Magic of Disney Animation building. To find the photo opportunity, guests need to head to the location where Minnie Mouse meets (the section marked “Drawing Room”). The room has been taken over temporarily by the “My First Oscar Moment” experience, so Guests will be able to find Minnie in the hub area.

During the opportunity, Guests will get to walk the red carpet and pose with the Oscar statue, against a signature backdrop similar to one you’ll see the actual Oscar winners pose against, just moments after they win the golden statue. Guests are encouraged to post their unique photos to social media using the hashtag, #Oscars.

The 87th Oscars are airing this Sunday, February 22, on ABC at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT and will feature host Neil Patrick Harris.